Hospices, which provide care for around 300,000 people a year, are struggling for money. Around a third of their funding comes from the NHS, with the sector having to raise the rest themselves. A parliamentary report has described this funding system as “not fit for purpose”.

Matt Saunders said public debate and proper consultation should be carried out on the subject of assisted dying A man with a terminal brain condition has said the government needs to fix the UK's palliative care system first before legislating assisted dying.

The state of end-of-life care needs needs to be "fixed" before considering legalising assisted dying, a palliative care specialist has said. MPs across the country are set to vote on Friday whether to take a proposed bill to the next stage.